Scales forces DA primary, Archerd running for US House just in case
ASHEVILLE — Candidates came forward on the last day of filing Wednesday to force primaries for the Democratic nomination for Buncombe County District Attorney and the GOP nomination for N.C. House District 115.
And a Republican candidate, Buncombe County's Chuck Archerd, filed for the 11th Congressional District, saying he wants to position himself as a backup should incumbent U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-Transylvania, take a position in the administration of President Donald Trump.
Asheville defense attorney Ben Scales filed to run as a Democrat against incumbent District Attorney Todd Williams, setting up a rematch of the 2014 race.
That year, Williams won the Democratic primary over then-incumbent Ron Moore, then Scales mounted a petition drive to get on the general election ballot as an independent. Williams won handily with 62 percent of the vote to Scales' 38 percent.
Black Mountain Republican Amy Evans filed Wednesday in the 115th House District. That sets up a primary for the GOP nomination with Montreat resident Nathan West.
Evans could not be reached for comment.
Rep. John Ager is the only Democrat running in the legislative district that covers eastern and parts of northern Buncombe County.
Meadows' name is one of several mentioned as a possible replacement for White House Chief of Staff John Kelly should Kelly either resign or be pushed out by Trump. There have been reports in recent weeks that Trump is unhappy with Kelly.
Archerd, a real estate investor who ran unsuccessfully for chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in 2016, said he has supported Meadows since Meadows first ran for Congress in 2012. He said he wants to see Meadows win the May 8 primary -- in which Archerd and Meadows' names will both be on the ballot -- and re-election in November.
But he said if Trump asks Meadows to take a job in his administration, "It's tough to say no to the president."
"If Congressman Meadows should be called upon to serve our country in a higher capacity, I believe the voters in the 11th District deserve a strong conservative voice in Washington to represent them,” Archerd said.
Buncombe Republicans chose Archerd as their nominee for commissioners' chairman in 2016 after the winner of the primary, Miranda DeBruhl, stepped down. Archerd ran for county party chairman last year but lost.
State law provides that party officials can replace a nominee for office on the general election ballot if he resigns or otherwise becomes ineligible at least 75 days before the general election.
Also Wednesday, Libertarian William Meredith filed to run in the 49th N.C. Senate District. Incumbent Democratic Sen. Terry Van Duyn and Republican Mark Crawford are the other candidates for that seat.
Nearly 50 candidates have filed to run in Buncombe County's 2018 elections.
Voters will decide several races this year: two congressional seats; two state Senate seats; three state House seats; district attorney; three Board of Commissioners seats; clerk of Superior Court; and sheriff.
See:
This is who's running in the 2018 Buncombe County commissioners race
Four Republicans running against Democratic legislators in Buncombe
Some races will see a primary, while incumbents have challengers in the general election.
District Attorney Todd Williams, who is seeking re-election, will be challenged in the Democratic primary by Ben Scales. Williams beat Scales in 2015 in the general election, when Scales ran as an unaffiliated candidate.
Eight candidates — five Democrats, two Libertarians and a Republican — have filed to succeed Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan. Duncan is not seeking re-election.
Ten people have filed to run for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, which has three seats up for election this year. Larry Blunt, an unaffiliated candidate, also has announced his intention to run and will have until May to collect the required number for petition signatures.
The primary election is May 8 and the general election is Nov. 6.
10th Congressional District
David Wilson Brown, Democrat
Gina Collias, Republican
Patrick McHenry, Republican (i)
Jeff Gregory, Republican
Ira Roberts, Republican
Seth Blankenship, Republican
Albert Lee Wiley, Jr., Republican
11th Congressional District
Philip Price, Democrat
D. Scott Donaldson, Democrat
Steve Woodsmall, Democrat
Chuck Archerd, Republican
Mark Meadows, Republican (i)
Clifton Ingram, Jr., Libertarian
48th State Senate District
Norm Bossert, Democrat
Chuck Edwards, Republican (i)
49th State Senate District
Terry Van Duyn, Democrat (i)
Mark Crawford, Republican
William Meredith, Libertarian
114th State House District
Susan Fisher, Democrat (i)
Kris Lindstam, Republican
115th State House District
John Ager, Democrat (i)
Amy Evans, Republican
Nathan West, Republican
116th State House District
Marilyn Brown, Republican
Brian Turner, Democrat (i)
County clerk of Superior Court
Steven Cogburn, Democrat (i)
Buncombe County district attorney
Todd Williams, Democrat (i)
Ben Scales, Democrat
County Board of Commissioners District 1
Al Whitesides, Democrat (i)
Board of Commissioners District 2
Amanda Edwards, Democrat
Dereck Lindsey, Democrat
Nancy Nehls Nelson, Democrat
Patrick Fitszimmons, Democrat
Glenda Weinert, Republican
Board of Commissioners District 3
Taylon Breeden, Democrat
Donna Ensley, Democrat
Catori Swann, Democrat
Robert Pressley, Republican (i)
Buncombe County sheriff
R. Daryl Fisher, Democrat
Rondell Lance, Democrat
Quentin Miller, Democrat
Randy Smart, Democrat
Chris Winslow, Democrat
Shad Higgins, Republican
Tracey Debruhl, Libertarian
Michael Morgan, Libertarian
Note: (i) designates incumbents.